The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-12
DREAM FACES.
Why They Came to a Really Hap
py Woman.

There was not happier woman in al
Doltshire than Mrs. Birdy. She had, how.
ever, every reason to be happy. She was
young and in easy circumstances; she had
= husband who was fondly attached to her;
she had pretty, prattling daughter OF
three, who was the pet and pleasure OF
their home, and she had few enemies and
many friends. A woman so situated must
be of very discontented disposition if she
be not satisfied.
Mrs. Birdy's lot had been cast in pleasant
places ever since she remembered. Though
she had never known her father or mother
they, as she had been informed, died
while she was an infant-yet she had been
brought up surrounded by more than pa
rental love and care Her maternal uncle,
Rev. DIR. Fullalove, and his wife-childless
ahemselves-had taken her as their child,
and with that kindness and gentleness
which they showed in every act and
thought of their innocent lives had watched
over infancy and girlhood. They brought
her up fearing God, but without fear, low
ing her neighbors and plying the poor.
And when young Squire Birdy took Ger
irude Thresher from home where love and
duty ruled it was only to install her in
another presided over by the same house
hold gods. Never was a woman happy in
her maldenhood so happy in her marriage.
There was only one thing that marred to
sny extent her otherwise perfect felicity
from the time she could first remember she
was afflicted with horrible dreams. Bad
Dreams as every one knows, are a common
cause of misery in early childhood, but Ger
trude's differed from those which usually
sfIiict young children in this respect, that
they were all the same-all mere repetitions
Of the one frightful vision. 1t was this
Two hideous faces appeared to her, one
male, the other female. Both were con-
yuised with ferocious rage. They glared
at her in demoniacal way for moment or
Two, then suddenly the mans arm appeared,
and in his hand was whip raised to strike
her. As the lash fell she invariably awoke
with a scream of agony and fear.
when she first remembered this dream it
was of so constant recurrence that it made
sleep terror to her. AS she grew older
and stronger it gradually troubled her less.
After her marriage, and more especially
after the birth of her little girl; when new
iuties and new affections drew away her
mind and attention from herself, it almost
ccascd to annoy her. Yet still it did from
Zine 10 time return, and when it did so II
was in every respect the same dream as af-
dicted her childhood-the same. wicked
Saccs, the same arm raised to strike, the
same fierce lash, and the same awakening
with a scream of horror.
When she was a child she often talked to
her kind old aunt, Mrs. Fullalove, about the
dream, and wondered how it happened that
she dreamed il so ooftcn. At first the wears
wife vouchsafed no explanation, but as Ger
srude grew up the old lady told her how, i'm
nediately after her parents death, she had
Aad a severe illness. II was during the de-
9irium which accompanied it that she was
1rst heard toutter that cry for pity to which
Ehey were now all fused. Mrs. Fullalove said
hat she believed Gertrude's horrible dream
-sTas but a survival, as it WERE of that delu-
sion OF her illness. The more Gertrude
Thought over her aunt's explanation the
more likely did it seem. Her dream GER
calmly appeared to her more to resemble a
1elusioE than vision.
Squire Birdy had been from home for a
few days when one morning, his business
.sciug finished, he came hurrying back to
8raxbv Grange. The moment his wife
aeard the wheels of his carriage she came
running out to meet him. Before the first
embrace was over the Squire looked at Ger
crude in surprise.
''Why, Gerty, my dear,n he said, "you
NaeIu very unwelll'
''Ou the contrary" she said, with what
nc saw was an effort TO be light hearted
ION the contrary, Stephen, am very well. {"
''You don't look it," answered Stephen,
<Fith shake of his head
He gazed steadily at her for moment.
--Gerty," he said, you're not yourself.
Now, dear, tell me what's the matterr'
Gertrude did not reply.
"Won't you tell me, Gertyl" he asked.
ADO, there's dear, good wife"
Its nothing, Stephen, assure you," she
said; Its only that have been dreaming
;sfthosc horrid faces again."
''You little goose" cried her husband.
4Eaily, plsyfully pinching her ear, sis that
all! You're nice girl to frighten the life
sut Of US all over dream. Why don't you
get it out of your headt'
4 wish could
tsBoo-ooi You're little goose"
Whether Gertrude was q little goose or
not, there was no doubt that her dream had
apset her for the day. Do what she would
she could not forget it. She tried hard to
io so when her husband was with her, and
were such a miserable failure that she
thought il was better to keep as much out
of his company as possible. She was,
therefore, glad when he told her that he
aad to 60 to board meeting and would be
absent for some few hours.
That afternoon Gertrude was sitting in
shady garden seat, close to the Grange ay-
enue. She was sewing, and her little
laughter was playing about on the grass.
The day was calm and sultry, with bright
sun and cloudless sky. Every thing about
aer was full Of peace, and her troubled mind
ssvss feeling the influence Of its surround
Ings.
She had been seated for some time: her
little daughter was sporting out Of her
Riew, beyond the bushes which shaded the
seat, when Gertrude heard voice. 1t was
awoman's, and evidently was speaking to
she child.
Here's the butterfly" it said. s'Open
ssour little hand. Yes, that's it Nowp'
TIA, ta," said the child